Anita White a.k.a. Lady A makes her home in the greater Seattle area. She has been a Pacific NW Blues favorite for over a decade and has been called “the hardest workin’ woman in Blues, Soul & Funk”. Her high energy performances showcase her husky but sultry voice. Lady A released her debut recording “BlueZ in the Key of Me” in 2010; and followed up with 2013’s “How Did I Get Here”. She has opened for the late Denise LaSalle, the iconic Little Milton, Dr. John and Shemekia Copeland; and has toured or been on stage with the late Charles Neville, Grammy winner Bobby Rush, Kenny Neal and Sugarray Rayford among others. Her last album, released in 2016, was “Loved, Blessed and Blues”.

Currently The Lady A Band includes musical director, writer and arranger Dexter Allen, guitar and bass; Joey Robinson, piano; and Chris “Rattlesnake” Minter or Joey Robinson, drums. The background vocals are sung by Allen and/or Lady A.

All of the songs lyrics were written by Lady A except one. On the title track she sings “Woke up this mornin’ sunlight in my eyes, smell of coffee, know it’s time to rise…headed down to Jackson Mississippi that’s my 2nd home…hop a flight to Sweden, Cruise to France, singin everywhere I can…45 tryin to turn us one against another…how we get around that, love ya sisters and brothers, no time for negativity…you ask me how I’m doin’, baby I’m lovin life and I’m Doin’ Fine.”

“Tryin To Get Over” features words and music from Paul Richardson. Seattle pianist Richardson, who wrote the song back in the 1970’s, takes the piano solo.

On “The Ride” and again on “Next Time U C Me” Robinson wins the MVP award as he serves triple duty playing, piano, organ and even overdubbing the horns.

“When I was a young girl, didn’t want much a nuthin’, but now I’m a woman, I want everything…try to make a difference, come on let’s Change The World.” Lady A’s gospel inspired vocal will help to straighten things out. The background vocals by Allen and Lady A complete this fabulous production.

On “Roof Over My Head” and again on the beautiful “Glad To Know You” the words and music are by John Oliver III. The later is an absolutely fabulous vocal performance by Lady A.

Play this musical gumbo loud as Lady A serves it up hot. Each of the musicians involved make a significant contribution to making this album her best yet. Repeated listening will only make you love her more.

Richard Ludmerer

Midwest Record Entertainment Reviews, News & Views:LADY A/Loved, blessed & Blues: Think you're imagining that Malaco/Fame vibe here? Lady A was kicking this out on Jackson, MS so it's not your imagination. A solid, southern soul lady, this is going to take your ears to stops on all those Ace compilations that cover mighty, unreleased sides from those southern companies recorded back in the day. A real deal set throughout, this woman knows form whence she sings. A winner throughout.

When the mood hits for a nice blend of blues, funk & soul , it doesn’t get much better than taking in the intoxicating vocal sounds of Seattle songstress Lady A. Her latest album, Loved, Blessed & Stressed is an absolute splendor. White is joined by Dexter Allen (guitar, bass, piano and backing vocals) and Joey Robinson (drums, and keyboard).

One doesn’t have to be in a church house to be taken to church. Title track, “Love, Blessed & Blues” grabs ahold of me and vibrates right to the soul, dousing me in the blues gospel-style. Lady A gets the adrenalin flowing in the high-energy “Honey Hush (Tribute to Elnora)”. Play, listen and then repeat on this dance-friendly treat.

Lady A breaks out the funk George Clinton/Brides of Funkenstein style on “Take Me Back to Seattle”. I love the growly bass-line Allen plops down, and the cool little micro-rhythms Robinson adds on the keys. There’s a sweet Motown feeling imbedded in “Love Calling”, a smooth R&B slow song with beautiful vocals.

Loved Blessed & Blues puts me in my happy place with every listen, leaving me with a huge smile across my face.

Lady A - Doin’ Fine

REVIEWER: John Mitchell - Blues Blast Magazine UK ~ September 2018

Lady A is a singer from the Pacific North West who blends blues, soul, funk and gospel. She wrote most of the songs here with assistance from John Oliver III or producer Dexter Allen who plays bass and guitar throughout. Drums are by Christopher ‘Rattlesnake’ Minter or Joey Robinson who also plays piano. Paul Richardson wrote one song on which he also plays the piano solo but otherwise it is just the musicians noted above. The album was recorded at Dexter’s studio in Jackson, MS.

The title track opens the album on an autobiographical note as Lady A tells us all about her musical journey and how she is in a great place in her life, played over a thumping rhythm. There is even time for a brief reference to the 45th President to bring us right up to date! Lady A has a fine voice and it is somewhat surprising to read that her roots are in Seattle rather than the Southern states. “The Ride” has some tough guitar behind Lady A’s lyrics which warn us to “keep the faith in everything you do. You got to trust and believe because life is like a ride”. “Next Time U C Me” sounds somewhat familiar but it’s a winner with a bright soulful tune, probably this reviewer’s pick of the album. “Change The World” has positive lyrics about what each of us can do to help each other set to a classic gospel tune with excellent choral backing vocals by Lady A and Dexter who mange to sound like a full choir! With the ‘churchy’ organ sounds this is a strong track. “Roof Ova My Head” gives thanks to God for looking after us, putting a “roof over my head, clothes on my back, shoes on my feet, I truly am blessed”. In contrast “That Man” is definitely secular as Lady A gets chills thinking about the guy she loves whose call to her work distracts her completely, all played to a grooving soul/Rn’B rhythm.

Some tracks seem rather repetitious: “Throw Down” has some synth horns and handclaps over funk bass and wah-wah but rather outstays its welcome; the closing track “Glad To Know You” starts promisingly with lovely piano but although Lady A sings well the lyrics are again mainly the title repeated, as is the case also on “Tryin’ To Get Over”.

Overall a mixed bag in terms of material but Lady A has a strong voice which delivers all these kinds of songs well.

Reviewer John Mitchell is a blues enthusiast based in the UK who enjoys a wide variety of blues and roots music, especially anything in the 'soul/blues' category. Favorites include contemporary artists such as Curtis Salgado, Tad Robinson, Albert Castiglia and Doug Deming and classic artists including Bobby Bland, Howling Wolf and the three 'Kings'. He gets over to the States as often as he can to see live blues.

Lady A's ~ Doin Fine 2018 Blues Bytes

For her fourth release, Doin’ Fine, the Seattle-based singer Lady A returned to Jackson, MS, where her previous release, Loved, Blessed, & Blues was recorded. Producers Joey Robinson and Dexter Allen also return to co-produce, this time at Allen’s studio, and provide the majority of the musical backing, with Allen playing guitar, bass, and backing vocals and Robinson providing keyboards and drums (along with Christopher “Rattlesnake” Minter). Lady A penned seven of the ten songs, with two being written by her longtime collaborator, John Oliver III.

Though Lady A hails from the West Coast, the sounds of Southern soul-blues coarses through her veins and it’s clear why she’s a favorite on the Pacific Northwest blues scene. The title track wouldn’t be a bad fit on a Bobby Rush album, with the lady giving a story of her musical journey fueled by Allen and Robinson’s funky backbeat. “The Ride” is a midtempo reflective look at the unpredictability of life, while the standout “Next Time U C Me” is a buoyant R&B track that owes a debt to the old Junior Parker classic with a similar title.

The ruminative “Tryin’ To Get Over” has a slick, almost jazz feel, thanks to the keyboards from Paul Richardson, who co-wrote the song with Lady A, and “Change The World” ventures toward gospel on the optimistic “Change The World,” with backing vocals from Lady A and Allen and Robinson’s keyboards taking listeners to the church. “That Man” is a fine, well-crafted slice of soul-blues, “Catch Me On The Low” mixes blues, funk, and R&B, and “Throw Down” is a nod to old school funk.

Oliver wrote the final two tracks on the disc: “Roof Ova My Head” is a song of thanksgiving as Lady A counts her blessings for the many things she’s been blessed with, and “Glad To Know You” is a soulful ballad that flirts with jazz.

Lady A has a fine vocal style that can play it tough or tender, and she’s found a pair of musical soulmates with Robinson and Allen, whose production and musical support is first rate. She is indeed Doin’ Fine and her new album deserves to be heard by blues and soul-blues fans.

Lady A - Doin Fine Review - The Alternate Root

Lady A (from the album Doin’ Fine available as a self-release)

Southern Soul is a powerful beam of light breaking through the thick Northwest fog as Seattle, Washington-based singer Lady A delivers her recent release, Doin’ Fine. A rubbery guitar line teases the tale as Lady A asks questions on “Tryin’ to Get Over”, trips on a superfly Blues groove for “Throw Down”, builds a sturdy platform of sound for the goals of “Change the World”, and delivers a resume of rhythm as she boards a tour bus in the title track. Lady A serves up her stew of Rhythm and Blues for with a raw grip on the vocals as she sinks into the rhythmic sway of “The Ride”, counts her blessings in “Roof Ova My Head”, warns “Next Time You See Me” on a determined beat. Lady A seduces “Catch Me on the Low” on a mean bass bump as Doin’ Fine introduces “That Man” on a dreamscape-thick rhythm and bids “Good to Know You” as an exit line delivered on piano driven Blues.Listen and buy the music of Lady A from AMAZONhttps://www.ladyababyblues.com/

Living Blues MagazineMelanie Young- Oct 1, 2016

For vocalist Anita aka Lady A White's latest release, the Seattle native traveled to Mississippi to collaborate with Jackson-based musician and producer Dexter Allen, who also played guitar, bass and piano and provided background vocals. On "Loved, Blessed & Blues", her strong personality and rich contralto vocals combined with his smooth, polished production results in a solid set of contemporary soul blues.There are several up-tempo, energetic numbers here, such as the title track - Lady A name checks soul-blues icons Denise LaSalle, Bobby Rush, Johnnie Taylor and Al Green, and acknowledges that you an have the blues even when things are going good ("you're loved, you're blessed, just go the blues"). "Honey Hush" is a sassy tribute to her grandmother Elnora. "Tired Too!" answers Allen's song I'm Tired; "Take Me Back to Seattle" is a loving ode to her hometown. The album's highlight is "If You Don't Want it, Don't Waste It" - written by Allen. It's fun, empowering lyrics and catchy melody are radio and dance-floor ready.The mood turns a little darker on the cautionary "Don't let Your Blues Become a Crime", as Lady A urges listeners that "temporary problems don't need no permanent solution." She shows a softer side on the gentle ballad "Love Calling" and ponders an disturber of her romantic peace on the restless "Trouble on My Mind". Allen and White (Lady A) sing together on his rousing song "Happy", and their vocals and personalities are well matched; he lays down a sizzling guitar solo as well. The pleading gospel "Somebody Here Needs You Lord" serves as a benediction, drawing the session to a reverent close. Ultimately, Lady A's Loved, Blessed & Blues is just what its title suggests - a fine modern collection reflecting the many emotional shades of blues.

One of the hardest working women of the Northwest music community, Lady A, has released her third full-length album ‘Loved, Blessed and Blues.’ The title is not only the name of the opening track, but a reflection of the ten songs and Lady A’s philosophy on life, as she reflects and testifies to being blessed and loved and to the power of the blues.

The easy shuffling opening track name checks many icons of blues music and tells how the music can lift up your heart. The groove revs up another notch during “Honey Hush (A tribute to Elnora),” a guitar-driven funk with Lady A recanting a tale of life lessons given to her from her grandma.

Some tasty lead guitar and mighty Hammond B3 organ swirl around the gospel blues sermon “Don’t Let Your Blues Become a Crime.” She then delivers sassy advice to the lovelorn, “If You Don’t Want It Don’t Waste It.” The two-beat funk “Tired Too” is the scathing rebuke from a women scorned, while some sweet acoustic sounds lift up the R&B ballad “Love Calling.”

Dexter Allen joins Lady A on the heavy duty Chicago Blues ‘Happy,’ adding his rich baritone vocal barbs and hot lead guitar licks to the standout track. The playful “Take Me back To Seattle” should be adopted by the city’s office of tourism. Lady A then conjures up the full power of gospel music for the album closer, ‘Somebody Here Needs You Lord,’ delivering an altar call with her full-throated alto leading the choir of voices lifted to the heavens.

Lady A is more than just powerhouse vocalist, she is a gifted storyteller who imparts us with wisdom through the parables of the blues.

Come on and let the Music take your mind......."When the music plays. We Are Family"